'Prisoner' opens at arts center

ONE OF THOSE DAYS—Edna Edison (Lois Lorback) tries to console her husband Mel (J.C. Bishop) after he's lost his job in "The Prisoner of 2nd Avenue" at the High Street Arts Center. Mel Edison (J.C. Bishop) is having the worst day of his life in Neil Simon's "The Prisoner of Second Avenue," directed by Paul Millet and currently running at the High Street Arts Center.

Mel, a 44-year-old advertising executive, seems to have it all: a wellpaying job, a luxury apartment in the Upper East Side, two daughters in college and a lovely stay-at-home wife, Edna (Lois Lorback). What he lacks is happiness, fulfillment and purpose.

As the play opens, Mel rages over petty annoyances: irritating neighbors, street noise, garbage smells and malfunctioning toilets. He feels trapped in the concrete jungle. He medicates himself with liquor and pills. Edna tries to soothe him, but her patience is strained by his complaints and harassment of the neighbors.

Soon the Edisons have bigger problems: Thieves ransack their apartment, and Mel's bankrupt company fires him. With no possessions or job, Mel despairs and mopes around the house, listening to conspiracy-laced talk radio. Edna returns to work to pay the bills, and Mel's jealous of her new job. Despondent, Mel suffers a nervous breakdown.

Mel is caught up in an intriguing scenario of urban angst and male midlife crisis, common in any generation. His marriage teeters as well, as he emotionally withdraws from Edna and despite her best efforts, she's powerless to help him.

The play is more drama than comedy. There's some snappy one-liners, but the dark subject matter doesn't easily lend itself to humor.

One funny moment that works is when Edna admits that on the day of the burglary she left the door open, a wry commentary on local residents who leave their car and house doors unlocked and wonder why their belongings disappear.

Bishop was last seen on the local stage as the villain Chester Smartypants in "The Plight Before Christmas." Here Bishop shows his versatility by submerging himself in a straight dramatic role with a range of emotion: anger, depression, paranoia and affection.

Lorback serves as a worthy foil for Bishop. As Edna, she is gentle at first but toughens up when Mel rebuffs her offers of support. When the roles are reversed and Edna is the family breadwinner, she becomes as grumpy as Mel.

Halfway through Act 2 the story makes an abrupt twist. After Mel's breakdown, his brother Harry (Howard Leader) and three sisters (Helene Benjamin, Joanne Zahorsky-Reeves and Sharon Gibson) show up after a nine-year absence, suddenly concerned for Mel's welfare. Since Mel had never spoken of his family, their appearance late in the show seems surprising.

Harry, the hardworking, successful businessman, offers to "help" his brother the only way he knows: with money. The sisters, who provide some nice comic relief, defer to Harry with no minds of their own. All of them seem oblivious to what Mel really needs: emotional, not financial, support.

Mel and Harry have an emotional moment in which they express their feelings regarding childhood regrets. Bishop and Leader play the scene well, but the relationship hasn't been established enough for the outcome to feel believable.

The cast features performers who will be familiar to arts center patrons. Benjamin was in "On Golden Pond" and Gibson in both "Bell, Book and Candle" and "The Curious Savage."

Zahorsky-Reeves, new to the arts center stage, is especially delightful as the ditzy sister Pearl.

Scene changes are masked by a large projection screen and hilarious filmed "newscasts" in which deadpan anchormen describe the crazy goings-on in city government.

The apartment set doesn't mesh with the Edisons' lifestyle. One would expect a man of Mel's financial means (he has a flat screen TV!) to decorate his home with more modern and stylish furnishings.

But the play provides insights into how a married couple can survive and thrive through hardships. For those facing the fallout of the economic crisis, take heart: If Mel Edison can endure his calamities, you can too.

Due to strong language and adult themes, the show is not recommended for young children.

Performance time is two hours, 30 minutes.

The show runs through March 8 at the arts center, 45 E. High St., Moorpark. For tickets, call (805) 529-8700 or visit www.highstreetartscenter .com.